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(No Model.)

H. E. FULLER.

BIT BRACE.

No. 320,868.. PatentedJune 23, 1885.

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NITED STATES PATENT Fries.

HIRAM E. FULLER, OF NEV YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR, BY DIRECT AND MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO THE FULLER MANUFACTURING COMPANY OF NEW YORK, OF SAME PLACE.

BIT-BRACE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 320,868, dated June 23,1885.

- Application filed July 28, 1883. Renewed March 2S, 1885. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HIRAM E. FULLER, of New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new 5 and useful Improvements in Bit-Braces; and I do hereby declare the following to'be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to bit-braces, the object being to provide an improved construction of brace, whereby the attachment of the bit may be accomplished withoutl the delay and inconvenience incident to the use of the r 5 usual screw cap or sleeve.

A further object of the invention is to sim plify and improve the construction of bitbraces, to render them less expensive in manufacture, and to adapt them to receive and re- 2o tain a bit by the withdrawal and release of a sliding sleeve.

The invention consists in the features of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter fully described, and pointed ont in the claims.

In the drawings, Figurel is asectional View of a portion of a brace embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a similar view taken at a right angle to the section-line of Fig. l. Fig. 3 is 3o an end view of the brace, and Fig. 4 illustrates the clamping-jaws and the devices for secun ing them within the shank.

A represents a portieri of the handle of the brace, provided with a shank, B, having a re cess, B', to receive the clampingjaws. Said shank is also formed with an elongated slot, b, through which passes a transverse pin, C, which secures a sliding sleeve. D, upon the shank.

E E represent the clampingjaws of the brace, secured within the outer end of the shank B by cross-pins e e. These jaws are recessed at their outer ends, e e', to grasp the square end of the bit, and are formed interiorly with a seat for the bit. Said jaws are tapering in form, to leave an annular space, F, between them and the sleeve D, which latter incloses the jaws, as shown in the drawings, when the bit is secured. The inner ends,

e2 e2, of the jaws E E are beveled, as shown in Fig. 4. A coil-spring, G, surrounds the jaws Said spring bears at E E within the sleeve.

its inner end against the shank B, while its upper coil bears against the shoulders g g formed upon the outer end of the sleeve D.

From the construction thus described it will be apparent that when the sleeve D is withdrawn from the outer ends of the jaws the latter will separate to Vreceive the bit. lThe pin C of the sleeve slides within the slot b of 6o the shank to contract the spring G. After the bit has been secured the sleeve is released, and the force of the spring will return it to securely clamp the jaws together upon the bit. The beveled ends cl e2 of the jaws allow 6 5 the latter to have a slight longitudinal play when the spring F is released, thus bringing the beveled ends e2 e2 in contact with the pins e e, and forcing said ends together to securely cia-nip the inner end of t-he bit. 7o

The improvement is susceptible of slight alterations in its details. Hence I do not limit myself to the precise construction shown and described, but reserve to myself theright to make all such changes as may properly fall within the scope of my invent-ion.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. ln a bit-brace, the combination, with a 8o shank formed with a transverse recess at its outer end, of clamping-jaws formed with beveled inner ends, and secured by cross-pins eX- tending across said recess, a sliding sleeve, and a coil-spring secured between the jaws and 8 5 sleeve, the whole being arranged substantially as described, whereby the jaws are allowed a slight longitudinal movement to securely hold the bit;

2. In a bit-brace, the combination, with a re- 9o cessed shank, a coil spring, and a sliding sleeve,

of clamping-jaws loosely secured within said recess by cross-pins and beveled at their inner ends, whereby the jaws are forced together by the contact of their beveled ends with the cross-pins, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HIRAM E. FULLER.

Witnesses:

F. O. MOGLEARY, WILLIAM PAXTON. 

